Job Discussion Forums

[Pitarou]

I've just done a CELTA in the UK, and now I'm trying to get a job lined up before I buy my ticket to Japan.

So far, the only employer who seems interested is Saxoncourt (a.k.a. Shane). They've sent me this lengthy pre-interview task to work through. Most of it's fine -- nothing not covered by my CELTA or by Learning Teaching by Jim Scrivener -- but there's one that I'm really not sure about.

[beach_lover]

My company sprang a half baked curriculum for babies (not yet walking, lacking teeth etc) to 4 year olds on me without training or warning so maybe I can help.

I would recommened classroom English first.

Hello, good bye (see you or bye bye), please, thank you, here you are, my name is....

Stand up, sit down, stop, go, make a line, make a circle

After that the basics that require no complicated translation - numbers, shapes, colours, ABC

You cant sit and drill this age group so verbs through actions is good.

[Imseriouslylost]

[mushroomyakuza]

Pitarou, as someone who recently had this exact same task, maybe I can help.

Okay, when I first approached this, I decided to do colours, and thought of different tasks for them to do...then realised, they're 2 years old! As basic as my language was, the way of teaching it was far too complex.

Bottom line: keep it real, real simple. Basically, as the others have said, teach them "hello" "goodbye" and nouns. Nouns nouns nouns. Cup, ball, dog, cat. The most basic shit you can think of. Just keep it simple, and don't worry that this won't be "impressive" enough - I worried about this but ultimately realised in the interview that they wanted someone who could teach effectively, not overreach. They are 2 after all, your lesson really doesn't need to be THAT complicated. The simpler the better.

As for materials, say flash cards, pictures. Simple visualisations.

Good luck and let us know. PM if you want more advice.

[Glenski]

Realize what was just said above: they are only 2 years old! They have barely learned enough of their own language to make 2-word sentences.

Nothing in writing.
Pictures if you have them.

One or 2 verbs max.

Get the (fruit).
Stand, run, walk, sit. Here, there.

Weren't prepared for that young a group? Welcome to Shane world.

[Pitarou]

Thanks for all your replies! That's really helped me a lot. Special thanks to Glenski for his warm welcome to Shane World.

The message I'm getting is that, for 2-year-olds, "Get cup." is a pretty big deal.

Are 2-year-olds old enough for chanting or nursery rhymes? If they are, I could teach them a lot about English phonology: English phonemes, word stress, sentence stress, stress timing, strong & weak forms, linking sounds and all that jazz.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[beach_lover]

Touch is about all they can manage. EG colours - show the flashcard, then demonstrate yourself, touching that colour in the room so they can link the card is blue, this chair is blue, my jumper is blue etc etc etc

Teach the ABC song.

Numbers and simple verbs. 3 claps, 5 jumps, etc etc

Simple and mobile are key.

Structure too - have the same lesson routine each time.

[Pitarou]

Thanks, once again, for all your suggestions. For anyone who's interested, here's what I ended up writing:

[Greg_R]

Good luck

[greenwing]

Thanks so much for this post and all the replies!

I don't mind admitting I was close to needing a nappy myself when I first read the words "class full of two year olds" but now I'm thinking a day job of playing children's entertainer might even be fun...

[pnksweater]

Two year olds can follow some basic instructions but have a very limited vocabulary and sentence structure in their native language. They also have a hard time sitting for very long.

Plan on teaching through lots of large motor activites, games that require fetching things, songs with movement, lots and lots of pretty visuals. Also, a strong routine will help class move along. Don't assume they understand what you're saying. Gesture and visual cues are key.

[Mr_Monkey]

You'll essentially be a babysitter. Have fun.

[Bread]